J.J Watt’s Salute Is OK

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Houston (CBS Houston) – The NFL officials warned teams Tuesday, that they will be cracking down on celebrations. However many players, teams and fans overreacted believing the NFL was cracking down on all celebrations. The NFL came out Wednesday to clear up any confusion, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, who does PR for the NFL took to Twitter:

So, the NFL states this 15-yard penalty will only be considered as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty if done directly at an opposing player.

Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt told media outlets that he would not stop his post-sack salute to the military even though the NFL is telling officials to crack down on rules against excessive celebration. As long as Watt doesn’t direct his salute to an opponent he will not be in violation.

During Wednesday’s training camp, Texans’ head coach Gary Kubiak commented on the NFL’s new rule, “Well, I think your biggest concern as a coach is you don’t ever want to take emotion away from players. I want guys to have fun playing and get excited when they do good things. Your biggest fear as a coach, something very minor costs you a penalty. You’ve got to coach discipline. You’ve got to coach what could happen, but I also think the League will do a good job in the preseason and with the officials warning guys, letting them know what’s going on, this or that. They’ll go about the process the right way. I don’t have big concerns about it, but I think it’s always something we’ve got to address.”